You can identify whether the problem is caused by the system or by third-party apps.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide explains the details of Galaxy S8 safe mode in Galaxy S8 and S8, two ways to reboot Galaxy S8 or S8+ into safe mode, and how to use and exit Galaxy S8 safe mode.

What is Galaxy S8 safe mode?

Sometimes, your Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+may behave in some odd ways.

And you want to find out whether such problems are caused by third-party apps or pre-installed apps.

Galaxy S8 safe mode is the right tool for such problems.

Like in other Android phones, Galaxy S8 safe mode is a special mode for Galaxy S8 and S8+. Within this mode, all third-party apps (including some pre-installed Google apps) will be disabled temporally.

So, only some essential apps from Samsung and Google are enabled in Galaxy S8 safe mode.

If you still experience the problem in Galaxy S8 safe mode, then you can conclude that the problem is caused by the firmware or some of the essential apps. You may have to reset Galaxy S8 or S8+.

If the problem disappears in safe mode, you can then conclude that the problem is very likely caused by some apps installed by you.

Unfortunately, Galaxy S8 safe mode can only tell you whether the problem is caused by third-party apps or not. It is unable to tell you which app is causing the problem.

Two ways to reboot the Galaxy S8 or S8+ into Galaxy S8 safe mode?

There are at least two different ways to boot into Galaxy S8 safe mode.

With a recent Galaxy S8 and S8+ firmware update in June, you can now show and hide Galaxy S8 navigation bar in any apps in S8 and S8+.

To use this new feature, Samsung added a small dot in Galaxy S8 navigation bar for you to turn on and turn off navigation bar in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

For other customization for Galaxy S8 navigation bar, for example, customize the background color of the navigation bar and navigation button layout, please check this guide.

What is the dot in Galaxy S8 navigation bar?

After you updated your Galaxy S8 and S8+, you may notice there is a dot in Galaxy S8 navigation bar as shown below.

The dot corresponds to a new feature that allows you to turn off (hide) or turn on (show) the Galaxy S8 navigation bar in any apps except home screen and apps screen.

The official name of this dot is show and hide button.

Since Android KitKat (Android 4.4), developers are able to enable immersive full screen mode to hide navigation bar when using the specific app. But most app developers haven’t used this feature in their apps.

Now, Samsung allows Galaxy S8 and S8+ user to hide or show navigation bar in Galaxy S8 and S8+ without relying on individual app developers.

You can tap the dot in the left side of the navigation bar to hide the navigation bar in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.

How to turn on or turn off the show and hide button (dot) in Galaxy S8 navigation bar?

You can turn on and turn off the show and hide button based on your needs and habits.

As shown above, you can go to Settings —Display —Navigation bar to find the option for the … Read the rest